We all leave our “footprint” on the world, in one way or another. We each, individually, do something or are someone that makes the world a little better just by being here. I created this weekly meme to get to know the blogging community I love just a bit better. To know what makes them tick, outside of books, that is. Each week I will post a question to be answered in the following week’s “A Bit of Me(Me)”. Check back each Saturday to get the info for next week’s post and link up with your current post right here.

I know, some of you are skeptical about putting yourself out there on the internet and I completely respect that. That’s the entire reason I have no desire to ever reveal the “real” names of The Turkeybird and Littlebug. In time, once they’re old enough, if they chose to do that on their own I will respect their decision. So, if ever during the time I’m doing this meme do you feel the question is just too personal for your liking, feel free to post something else, I never want anyone to feel uncomfortable with what they share and I promise it will always be “kid-friendly”. I mean, this is a primarily children’s and young adult site, you know?

So, let’s get started!

This Weeks Question: Tell everyone a bit about your very best quality or talent!

I’ve mentioned this before, but I play the flute. And though I don’t like to toot my own horn (no pun intended), I am pretty decent. My mother and father would both most likely say that their biggest disappointment when it comes to me and my accomplishments would be that I am not currently playing professionally and never finished a degree for my playing. It’s definitely mine as well.

Growing up there was rarely a time when you would find me without my flute. I’ve played in orchestras, state bands, flute choirs, and of course as a soloist. Prior to taking off for the “law school years” for my hubby, I had intended on going back to finish my degree in music, but instead…got pregnant (though I was told I couldn’t have children). A very bittersweet moment in my life. Fortunately I met a fabulous flute professor at a nearby University and was able to assist as well as play in a few of the flute groups and an orchestra. I’m hoping that now, in our new location, that I will be able to find something similar and get back into playing as well as teaching.

To me, music is what makes my heart soar. Don’t get me wrong, I love reading and writing, but music does something entirely different. When I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of an incredible group of musicians and the music is near perfection, it’s an experience that’s hard to explain in words. As a parent now I hope to pass this passion on to my children in some way, either through singing, instrumental playing of some sort or just enjoying listening. It’s something I think everyone should have in their life and I know I would be a different person without it.

Now, your turn! Link up below and tell everyone “A Bit of You!”

Next Week’s Question: Your absolute greatest phobia.
Have a question to add? I’d love some suggestions! Just leave them in the comments and I’ll see about adding them in as we go!

Also, feel free to grab either of the buttons for your own “A Bit of Me(Me)” post (or create your own), but make sure to link back to There’s A Book. (You can also resize these down to a smaller size if you’d like.)

We all leave our “footprint” on the world, in one way or another. We each, individually, do something or are someone that makes the world a little better just by being here. I created this weekly meme to get to know the blogging community I love just a bit better. To know what makes them tick, outside of books, that is. Each week I will post a question to be answered in the following week’s “A Bit of Me(Me)”. Check back each Saturday to get the info for next week’s post and link up with your current post right here.

I know, some of you are skeptical about putting yourself out there on the internet and I completely respect that. That’s the entire reason I have no desire to ever reveal the “real” names of The Turkeybird and Littlebug. In time, once they’re old enough, if they chose to do that on their own I will respect their decision. So, if ever during the time I’m doing this meme do you feel the question is just too personal for your liking, feel free to post something else, I never want anyone to feel uncomfortable with what they share and I promise it will always be “kid-friendly”. I mean, this is a primarily children’s and young adult site, you know?

So, let’s get started!

This Weeks Question: What is your favorite smell and why? Does it bring back memories?

The Ocean

(Photo taken by my mom. You can find her Flickr Stream here and her site Earthbound Chronicles here.)

All growing up if my dad was ever to say, “let’s go for a drive!”, you could almost always count on a drive to the beach. Not every time did we bring all of our “gear” and head out to sea, but we always rolled the windows down just to take a deep breathe of the wonderful ocean air.

As an adult, who now lives within minutes of the beach, I still remember these “drives”. Often it included a stop at a 7-Eleven for a treat and it always included a little bit of mood music in the form of Van Halen, Winger, The Beatles or any number of rock bands my dad was in love with at the time.

Even now, I often hear of my parents jumping in the car to take a “drive-by” to the beach and stop in at their favorite local eatery (currently Con Pane, but often El Indio both in San Diego).

It’s definitely one of my favorite memories from my childhood and one I hope I will be able to pass on to my own children.

Now, your turn! Link up below and tell everyone “A Bit of You!”

Next Week’s Question: Tell everyone a bit about your very best quality or talent!
Have a question to add? I’d love some suggestions! Just leave them in the comments and I’ll see about adding them in as we go!

Also, feel free to grab either of the buttons for your own “A Bit of Me(Me)” post (or create your own), but make sure to link back to There’s A Book. (You can also resize these down to a smaller size if you’d like.)

We all leave our “footprint” on the world, in one way or another. We each, individually, do something or are someone that makes the world a little better just by being here. I created this weekly meme to get to know the blogging community I love just a bit better. To know what makes them tick, outside of books, that is. Each week I will post a question to be answered in the following week’s “A Bit of Me(Me)”. Check back each Saturday to get the info for next week’s post and link up with your current post right here.

I know, some of you are skeptical about putting yourself out there on the internet and I completely respect that. That’s the entire reason I have no desire to ever reveal the “real” names of The Turkeybird and Littlebug. In time, once they’re old enough, if they chose to do that on their own I will respect their decision. So, if ever during the time I’m doing this meme do you feel the question is just too personal for your liking, feel free to post something else, I never want anyone to feel uncomfortable with what they share and I promise it will always be “kid-friendly”. I mean, this is a primarily children’s and young adult site, you know?

So, let’s get started!

This Weeks Question: What is one thing you are really NOT good at?

I have one major fault. One that everyone in my family and many of my extended group of friends notice almost immediately. Without a doubt I have a terrible time saying the word “NO”. It’s even been pointed out recently how many online events I’ve been involved with. A lot of the time it’s because I just can’t seem to say a simple two letter word, and instead opt for the much more complicated three letter word:

To be completely honest, I love love love saying “yes”. I love helping others and absolutely adore being “part” of something outside of the daily routine I find myself in. Not that I don’t love my routine, it’s just nice to have something that’s just for me. You know? See, before I had children, I worked almost non-stop and often at a minimum of 60 hours a week. Not to mention the outside activities I was involved in with church and otherwise. I just love being involved. I live for the crowd, the discussion, and the friends! It’s all just too much to pass up. And definitely to a fault because recently I’ve been seeing a bit of this when I look up to my computer screen:

Not to mention a bit of this in the corner of my bedroom:

(Not my actual shelves, I wish!)

So, yes, things have been a bit chaotic and I’m constantly on the lookout for the next fun thing to be involved with but I live for it. I’m slowly making more time for other things, like my sewing and quilting I need to finish up on, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have been working on a “schedule” that seems to be helping quite a bit. But as for this small little fault, I’m not sure it’s going anywhere any time soon.

So yeah, have an event you need help with? I’m your gal!

Now, your turn! Link up below and tell everyone “A Bit of You!”

Next Week’s Question: What is your favorite smell and why? Does it bring back memories?
Have a question to add? I’d love some suggestions! Just leave them in the comments and I’ll see about adding them in as we go!

Also, feel free to grab either of the buttons for your own “A Bit of Me(Me)” post (or create your own), but make sure to link back to There’s A Book. (You can also resize these down to a smaller size if you’d like.)

We all leave our “footprint” on the world, in one way or another. We each, individually, do something or are someone that makes the world a little better just by being here. I created this weekly meme to get to know the blogging community I love just a bit better. To know what makes them tick, outside of books, that is. Each week I will post a question to be answered in the following week’s “A Bit of Me(Me)”. Check back each Saturday to get the info for next week’s post and link up with your current post right here.

I know, some of you are skeptical about putting yourself out there on the internet and I completely respect that. That’s the entire reason I have no desire to ever reveal the “real” names of The Turkeybird and Littlebug. In time, once they’re old enough, if they chose to do that on their own I will respect their decision. So, if ever during the time I’m doing this meme do you feel the question is just too personal for your liking, feel free to post something else, I never want anyone to feel uncomfortable with what they share and I promise it will always be “kid-friendly”. I mean, this is a primarily children’s and young adult site, you know?

So, let’s get started!

This Weeks Question: Name five people alive or dead that you’d love to have lunch with.

This is a question I could really go crazy with. I could come up with some amazing dead people that would probably talk my ears off and leave me nodding in agreement without getting a word in edgewise. So, instead of going that route, I’m going picking people that have influenced me at some time in my life and I’ll try to explain as I go along.

First up: Jean-Pierre Rampal – Some of you may know, some may not, but I’m a classically trained flutist. I’ve actually been playing for close to 25 years now and much to my mother’s chagrin I have yet to pursue it more seriously than an occasional appearance with a local group or orchestra. Hopefully when the kiddos are a bit older I’ll get to pursue it a bit more. But my reason for choosing Jean-Pierre has everything to do with how he influenced me as a young flute player. His playing is beautiful and when you watch him you can tell how passionate he was about the music. This is something to me, that is the most important part of music…how it affects you emotionally. I truly regret not hearing him play live before he passed away in May of 2000. Here’s a piece from his early years playing (that I actually just recently played while living in Virginia), Poulenc’s Flute Sonata mvt. 2:

Sherri Dew – I’m guessing that there are a few of you are going, huh? Sherri Dew is currently the acting president and CEO of Deseret Book, she has been a White House delegate to the United Nations and much more. None of this has anything to do with why I’d want to have lunch with her though. She is also a prominent member of the church I belong to, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and for a period of time she was very influential in my decision to seek out answers for myself. Her attitude on life and the trials she had gone through helped me come to a better understanding of how to deal with my own struggles while still be a strong woman in my own home. Besides, she’s just a truly neat person!



Stephanie Meyer – Yes, some will argue that she’s not the best writer, but I’d have to say she’s more than made up for it by her overall impact on readers everywhere. I’ve rarely come across a series of books I’ve read from cover to cover in a matter of days, all four of them. For me, she was instrumental in lighting a fire on my love for books again. I would love the opportunity just to have a normal sit down chat and talk about writing, books and life.



Ramin Djawadi – Recently he composed the score for the re-release of Clash of the Titans and I loved it! Ask my husband, this is highly unusual. I’m overly critical of movie scores and if one is not up to par it can entirely ruin the movie for me. In a day where every movie score is starting to sound like a new rendition of Hans Zimmer‘s Pirates of the Caribbean score, it was nice to have something different and engaging. I’d just love to talk with him about his composing and his future projects!



Ian Somerhalder – So, my husband will probably kill me for mentioning this, but who wouldn’t want to have lunch with the hunky star of Vampire Diaries? This is really just for fun! I think it would be a blast! He’d definitely add a little life to the party!

There you have it! My unusual lunch party. I’m sure if all of these characters were in one room together it would definitely be one of the most interesting gatherings ever. I can’t wait to see what everyone else comes up with!

Now, your turn! Link up below and tell everyone “A Bit of You!”

Next Week’s Question: What is one thing you are really NOT good at?
Have a question to add? I’d love some suggestions! Just leave them in the comments and I’ll see about adding them in as we go!

Also, feel free to grab either of the buttons for your own “A Bit of Me(Me)” post (or create your own), but make sure to link back to There’s A Book. (You can also resize these down to a smaller size if you’d like.)

We all leave our “footprint” on the world, in one way or another. We each, individually, do something or are someone that makes the world a little better just by being here. I created this weekly meme to get to know the blogging community I love just a bit better. To know what makes them tick, outside of books, that is. Each week I will post a question to be answered in the following week’s “A Bit of Me(Me)”. Check back each Saturday to get the info for next week’s post and link up with your current post right here.

I know, some of you are skeptical about putting yourself out there on the internet and I completely respect that. That’s the entire reason I have no desire to ever reveal the “real” names of The Turkeybird and Littlebug. In time, once they’re old enough, if they chose to do that on their own I will respect their decision. So, if ever during the time I’m doing this meme do you feel the question is just too personal for your liking, feel free to post something else, I never want anyone to feel uncomfortable with what they share and I promise it will always be “kid-friendly”. I mean, this is a primarily children’s and young adult site, you know?

So, let’s get started!

This Weeks Question: What is your favorite word and why?

Now, your turn! Link up below and tell everyone “A Bit of You!”

Next Week’s Question: Name five people alive or dead that you’d love to have lunch with.
Have a question to add? I’d love some suggestions! Just leave them in the comments and I’ll see about adding them in as we go!

Also, feel free to grab either of the buttons for your own “A Bit of Me(Me)” post (or create your own), but make sure to link back to There’s A Book. (You can also resize these down to a smaller size if you’d like.)

We all leave our “footprint” on the world, in one way or another. We each, individually, do something or are someone that makes the world a little better just by being here. I created this weekly meme to get to know the blogging community I love just a bit better. To know what makes them tick, outside of books, that is. Each week I will post a question to be answered in the following week’s “A Bit of Me(Me)”. Check back each Saturday to get the info for next week’s post and link up with your current post right here.

I know, some of you are skeptical about putting yourself out there on the internet and I completely respect that. That’s the entire reason I have no desire to ever reveal the “real” names of The Turkeybird and Littlebug. In time, once they’re old enough, if they chose to do that on their own I will respect their decision. So, if ever during the time I’m doing this meme do you feel the question is just too personal for your liking, feel free to post something else, I never want anyone to feel uncomfortable with what they share and I promise it will always be “kid-friendly”. I mean, this is a primarily children’s and young adult site, you know?

So, let’s get started!

This Weeks Question: Are you an animal person? Any type in particular?

Okay, I know, you’re saying, “What the heck? That’s not an animal!” Well, for those of you lucky enough to have tasted the amazing-ness that is In-N-Out Burger, you know what this is. “Animal Style Fries” Perfect for anyone looking to clog the arteries in moments and ward of lingering ex-boyfriends you want to drive away. Yep, loaded with their secret sauce, cheese and grilled onions these are a definite “animal style” meal that I’ve actually only ever seen my sister and her hubby enjoy.

So, on to the “Real” question. Am I an animal person? Well…absolutely! Growing up we had multiple cats and even a sweet little bird named “Puff Puff” (because he would literally puff up like a mini ball of feathers often). Currently though, no pets, well, we do have a few fish.

Littlebug would love nothing more than to have a “d-doggie” and the Turkeybird is a definite cat guy. What we would love…is to move into our own home, with a huge yard so that we could get one of these big guys:

Yep, we would love to have  a Great Dane and possibly a couple kitties. But until we are in our own home with room to run that’s probably not going to happen. Until then though, we do have a fabulous “stand-in” when we get to see him. My sister has a wonderful not-so-little English Bulldog named Ozzy. He’s fabulous! The last time we saw him my hubby nearly brought him home with us he likes him so much! Take a look, isn’t he adorable?!

PS…my sis is a fabulous photographer if you live in the Las Vegas or San Diego areas!

Now, your turn! Link up below and tell everyone “A Bit of You!”

Next Week’s Question: What is your favorite word and why?
Have a question to add? I’d love some suggestions! Just leave them in the comments and I’ll see about adding them in as we go!

Also, feel free to grab either of the buttons for your own “A Bit of Me(Me)” post (or create your own), but make sure to link back to There’s A Book. (You can also resize these down to a smaller size if you’d like.)

Bloggiesta finished up this morning and I’m finally able to put together my wrap-up post. This time around Bloggiesta was a little different for me. With the Mini-Challenge that I hosted about Stats, I was able to help answer some questions via email and Twitter. It was really really fun! Sorry for any of you that were on the receiving end of my long winded emails, but when I get going with that type stuff I can go on for a long time. So, most of my time with Bloggiesta was spent doing that, BUT I did get a lot of other great tasks accomplished and I’m feeling pretty good.

So, this is what I started with when I began Bloggiesta:

• Schedule at least 14 Posts.
• Post my reviews to the following sites: Goodreads, LibraryThing, Indiebound, Amazon, Kidlitosphere, Book Army, B&N, etc.
• Set up a Calendar on Google.
  
• Organize my Author Interviews & Websites into a separate page.
• Gather a List of Bloggers I love and post a separate page.
• Create a Book News Page.
• Create an Awards Page.

Here’s the skinny on what I really accomplished:

• Set up a Calendar on Google. I was able to put this together, plus coordinate it with my Google Docs & Reminder Fox scheduling data so that I’m all planned out! YAY!
• Add more “Guests” to my “When I Was Young” Feature. I sent out a total of 15 requests and just looked again, I have 3 more to send out. Wohoo! This is a huge thing, because this is one of my favorite parts of the site and I want to see it keep going. So yay!
• Scheduled a total of 2 Reviews, but set up about 16 posts/reviews so they’re ready to go when I am finished with the books.
• Post all of my reviews to the following sites: Goodreads, LibraryThing, Indiebound, Amazon, Kidlitosphere, Book Army, B&N, etc. I’m just about done with all of this (although, I did give up on Book Army, every time I entered a review it went away to nowhere, boo!), but I still need to add them to the Kidlitosphere. All-in-all pretty good I think.
• Gather a List of Bloggers I love and post a separate page. This is the page titled “Links” and so far it’s not looking so hot. So, this is definitely still a work in progress.

Things I’m still planning on doing this coming week:

• Schedule out a few more posts.
• Organize my Author Interviews & Websites into a separate page.
• Create a Book News Page.
• Create an Awards Page.

All in all, pretty good. I’m so glad I was able to help so much this time around and I can’t wait to join in Bloggiesta again next time around. Although, next time I may just be a cheerleader, I seriously need a nap now. )

On to Day 3 of the 3rd Bloggiesta! Today was kind of rough. My hubby was able to go help someone move this morning and The Turkeybird decided it wanted to be up at 4:30 AM, which didn’t exactly bode well for my concentration. I was still able to press on and got a few things I wanted done accomplished. How about everyone else? Any fabulous new progress to report?

• Set up a Calendar on Google. Done!
• Add more “Guests” to my “When I Was Young” Feature – So far, I’m up to 14 (and I’ve emailed them all!), but would still love to schedule more!
• Schedule at least 14 Posts. – So far, I’ve done 14 reviews and some templates. Not bad. Still need a few more
• Post my reviews to the following sites: Goodreads, LibraryThing, Indiebound, Amazon, Kidlitosphere, Book Army, B&N, etc. (I’ve done about 20 and I’m still plugging away!)
• Organize my Author Interviews & Websites into a separate page.
• Gather a List of Bloggers I love and post a separate page.
• Create a Book News Page.
• Create an Awards Page.

Wish me luck and I’ll be stopping by a few of my fellow participants to see how they’re doing during my rest stops!

Make sure to check out my two Mini-Challenges! Bloggiesta Mini-Challenge: It’s All About the Numbers (learn all about how to utilize your stats to make your blog even better) and Bloggiesta Mini-Challenge: It’s Not Cheating (learn all about backing up that data you desperately don’t want to lose).

We all leave our “footprint” on the world, in one way or another. We each, individually, do something or are someone that makes the world a little better just by being here. I created this weekly meme to get to know the blogging community I love just a bit better. To know what makes them tick, outside of books, that is. Each week I will post a question to be answered in the following week’s “A Bit of Me(Me)”. Check back each Saturday to get the info for next week’s post and link up with your current post right here.

I know, some of you are skeptical about putting yourself out there on the internet and I completely respect that. That’s the entire reason I have no desire to ever reveal the “real” names of The Turkeybird and Littlebug. In time, once they’re old enough, if they chose to do that on their own I will respect their decision. So, if ever during the time I’m doing this meme do you feel the question is just too personal for your liking, feel free to post something else, I never want anyone to feel uncomfortable with what they share and I promise it will always be “kid-friendly”. I mean, this is a primarily children’s and young adult site, you know?

So, let’s get started!

This Weeks Question: Tell us all about your favorite movie and why. Can’t pick one? Give us your top five!

This may shock you all, but my #1 Favorite movie would have to be, without any doubt:

The Lord of the Rings, Return of the King

Yes, I pretty much like all the others in the triology, but this one is by far my favorite. Not long after they were released to DVD I made my hubby sit and watch all three over and over again until I pretty much had it all memorized. We even watched every single minute of each of the extra features disks. Sadly though, I have never been able to make it through the books. One day though, if for no other reason than that they were my Uncle’s favorite books when he was alive.

If I was going to pick a runner up, a more “girlie” movie, it would definitely be An Ideal Husband based on the play by Oscar Wilde starring Rupert Everett. This was actually introduced to me by my husband while he was taking a literature class in college that discussed the play and movie. I absolutely adore Oscar Wilde’s work and so when I watched the movie version of An Ideal Husband I fell in love. It’s brilliant! Funny, romantic and has fantastic actors. You don’t want to miss it!

You can’t go wrong with either of these picks!

Now, your turn! Link up below and tell everyone “A Bit of You!”

Next Week’s Question: Are you an animal person? Any type in particular?
Have a question to add? I’d love some suggestions! Just leave them in the comments and I’ll see about adding them in as we go!

Also, feel free to grab either of the buttons for your own “A Bit of Me(Me)” post (or create your own), but make sure to link back to There’s A Book.

So, it’s day two of the 3rd Bloggiesta, you’re starting to lose a bit of speed and need a bit of a push. Pick up your favorite Mexican snack food and your must-have sweet and dig in! Saturdays are always great for getting tons done and I can’t wait! I’ve only accomplish a few things, but still been able to cross some difficult tasks off the list. Hopefully today will be a banner day and I’ll be able to cross of most of it. What do you think? You think I can? Let’s see how it goes!

• Schedule at least 14 Posts. – So far, I’ve done 2, with templates set up for about 7, just need to add reviews. Not bad.
• Post my reviews to the following sites: Goodreads, LibraryThing, Indiebound, Amazon, Kidlitosphere, Book Army, B&N, etc.
• Set up a Calendar on Google. Done!
  
• Organize my Author Interviews & Websites into a separate page.
• Gather a List of Bloggers I love and post a separate page.
• Create a Book News Page.
• Create an Awards Page.
• Add more “Guests” to my “When I Was Young” Feature – So far, I’m up to 10, but would still love to schedule more!

Wish me luck and I’ll be stopping by a few of my fellow participants to see how they’re doing during my rest stops!

Make sure to check out my two Mini-Challenges! Bloggiesta Mini-Challenge: It’s All About the Numbers (learn all about how to utilize your stats to make your blog even better) and Bloggiesta Mini-Challenge: It’s Not Cheating (learn all about backing up that data you desparately don’t want to lose).